Manga Reviews: More Flowers, Tsubasa, Animals, and Witches!

Animal Academy vol. 4

Story & Art: Moyamu Fujino
Translation: Katherine Schilling
Lettering: Star Print Brokers
Publisher: Tokyopop

One of the most difficult things I find reviewing manga is picking up the recent volume of a series, read it, and review it. I know that Omar, Melanie, and Tommy disagree with me, but I just can’t do it. This is why I don’t read American comics, way too much history if I pick up issue 100 of a title. I just have a hard time getting into the book and enjoying it. So when Tokyopop sent us volume four of Animal Academy, I ran to my local bookstore and damn, if they didn’t carry volumes one through three. So I dove right into this volume and tried to decipher what the series was about. Lucky for me the book was easy to follow and it took no time for me to be hooked. So it seems that Neko (Ironic that it’s the Japanese word for cat) is only allowed to attend Morimori school if she didn’t reveal that she is only human. This is a school only for magical animals only pretending to be human. Now that Yuichi is gone, because he was pretending to be only human, Neko takes it upon herself to tell her friends that she is just human and leaves. But, Kotaro is not going to let her go that easy when he comes after her in the human world. I’m not sure what it was about this book that kept me reading and reading. I found the art to be completely adorable and the story although simple, it wasn’t bland at all. The story unfolds at a leisurely pace, with lots of adorable moments of child-like humor It is one of those books that brings out the inner child in me and I definitely recommend it for kids. A

Haru Hana: The Complete Collection

Story & Art: Yuana Kazumi
Translation: Ryan Peterson
Adaptation: Kara Stambach
Lettering: Star Print Brokers
Publisher: Tokyopop

Between grading finals and reading essays I hardly had time to read any manga this past week. However on Sunday, Omar suggested I read Haru Hana since he looked at the art style and knew it was up my alley. I hate the fact that he knows me so well, okay I lied, I love the fact that my husband knows me so well. Yes, the main reason I read this book was based on the cover alone. It reminded me of the work by Moyoco Anno, Miki Aihara, and Ai Yazawa. But also the name of the book, come on it’s got flower on the title how could I pass up since I loved Flowers and Bees and Boys over Flowers so much? To my recollection I don’t remember this series being previously released in America, so I’m not sure if I’m crazy or if Tokyopop decided to just release the two or three volumes in one bang. Hana Yamada is the main character in the series, who has a unique problem when she comes in contact with boys; the poor girl breaks out in hives. This is all controlled as long as she has her green tea at her side. However the situation becomes drastic when her sister forces her to work for two cute guys at a massage parlor The place is ran by Shinnosuke and Haru . According to Shinnosuke, everyone touched by Haru ends up in a good mood. This doesn’t affect our heroine, of course, who comes across all itchy whenever Haru comes into contact with her. He of course gets a kick out of making Hana break out in hives. The two guys in the book, were your average bishoujo perfect models, who at times came across unrealistic. But the main attraction was Hana, her goofy yet determined ways to get out of situations had me cracking up and feeling sorry for her. The story changes from a goofy romantic tale to a more dramatic love story, but then again isn’t that the way a true love story really is? I enjoyed the story and I really felt bad for Hana, but she had me cheering on for her too. I definitely recommend the book for fans of shojo manga or anyone that enjoys a good love story. A-

Tsubasa vols. 23 & 24
Story & Art: CLAMP
Translation: William Flanagan
Lettering: Dana Hayward
Publisher: Del Rey

I can’t believe it’s almost over. The manga that I thought could go on forever and to be honest I wish it could. What can I say? I’m a huge CLAMP fan and they could keep traveling through different CLAMP universes for the rest of the series for all I care. But, all good things and all that. In case you didn’t know what was going on or what this series is about here is a quick catch-up: Sakura is the princess of Clow and Syaoran is a young archaeologist passionate about the past and about Sakura. Before she can tell him that she too loves him, she is drawn into ancient ruins, where her memories, in the form of feathers, are scattered across multiple worlds. Syaoran goes with the dying Sakura to Yuko, the time-space witch and made ever famous from XXXholic, who grants him, along with Kurogane and Fai D. Flowright, the ability to travel across worlds to seek out the feathers. It’s been one hell of a ride with so many cameos by other CLAMP characters and so many worlds, but now all of it is coming to an end. With the wrap up in the last few volumes that ended the Syaoran clone saga (not as long or as dreadful as the spider-clone saga). While the trio of friends get ready to face Fei Wang Reed for the life of Sakura, the action stops to give us another background story. This time it’s all about Syaoran and how her first came to Clow country and met Sakura for the first time. Unfortunately I really didn’t learn anything new that I didn’t already know. Yes, I know that the love between Syaoran and Sakura is pure and innocent, but did we really need a whole volume to remind us? The flashback sequences were really nice to see in this volume, but I’m ready for some action in the next volume. By no means, it’s not a volume that can be skipped, but maybe I wanted something a little more. B-

XXXholic vol.15

Story & Art: CLAMP
Translation: William Flanagan
Lettering: North Market Street Graphics
Publisher: Del Rey

All I know is that William Flanagan must be having a blast translating both Tsubasa and XXXholic, or he’s got one giant headache doing both jobs. It seems like this volume of XXXholic crosses over with Tsubasa, but it might be during the Syaoran clone saga or it could just be a glimpse of things to come…..let’s hope not. It seems that the spotlight is back on Watanuki as he takes a young woman under his wing and teaches her to cook. He also keeps having dreams of Yuko disappearing. He grows more and more concern when Yuko is missing for weeks from the shop and there are no signs of Mokona or Maru. It seems that he was having more than dreams when he keeps running into people that Yuko has helped in the past have no idea who Yuko is. It’s as if she never existed. It is a very disturbing and depressing volume. I know this isn’t the final volume of the series, but it’s got t be close. Specially with that last chapter between Watanuki and Yuko; he really wants her to exist and is willing to make it his fondest wish. No, matter what hell she put him through, his life is better because of her. That was some powerful moving dialogue at the end of this book. I’m really excited about the next volume, because I want a happy ending for Yuko, Domeki, and Watanuki. A

Manga Reviews:After Halloween Sort of Special!

Gantz vols. 4-6
Story & Art: Hiroya Oku
Translation: Mathew Johnson
Lettering: Studio Cutie
Publisher: Dark Horse

When I read volume 1 last year, I came out and said it was the best new manga I had read that year. Not watching the anime didn’t spoil anything for me so it was all new and fresh. The series got off to a great start. It was a mixture of the mysteries in Twilight zone with the fun and adrenaline pumping action of Suicide Squad. The second and third volume really brought the series down by having lots of running around and trying to fight the same onion heads. I have to say that this series really picked up with these three volumes. It was really emotional to have the grandmother and grandson team killed by those bird beings and I can’t believe the crazy kid is gone! I really thought he was going to stick around. Kurono finally gets some action, but not from Kishimoto, but a new girl. Damn, way to go Kurono! That really brought a realistic take to the series, which is why I love the series so much. Gantz also packs in a ton of sex and violence which should get just about any male reader's attention. The series is 18+, so the title pages are often scantily-clad pin-up girls carrying guns and who doesn’t like that kind of stuff? Violence is brutal and gory in that slasher flick kind of way. If I have one complaint it's that like most titles in the genre, the action goes on for far too long at times, often extending for volumes before resolution. But what a resolution! Gantz is a completely unpredictable series, and none of the characters are safe. The roster switches up considerably as the series progresses, so there's always a sense of danger. So I wouldn’t pick a favorite character, because I haven’t seen this much death toll in characters since Suicide Squad and Battle Royale. B+

The Ghost in the Shell
Story & Art: Masamune Shirow
Translation: Frederik L. Schodt
Adaptation: Toren Smith
Publisher: Kodansha Comics

Sure there were plenty of cyber-punk stories long before this manga ever hit the stands like Megazone Saga, Bubblegum Crisis, or Maddox 01, but to me when I try to describe cyber punk to someone I always point them to this book. Now let’s get this out of the way Dark Horse has been printing this book since the 90s and everyone has had a problem with the editing they did on two pages. Shirow, himself, did cut that part out long time ago when the book was first printed in USA. later Dark Horse re-released GitS second edition, that one contain unedited version which does include the lesbian threesome. Kodansha Comics decided to choose version without the threesome lesbian. Sure it still doesn’t make any sense, because the book is rated Mature Content, but does it take anything away from the story? Hell no!

If you’ve been living in a cave and don’t know the story of Gits, well it centers on a security team led by Major Motoko Kusinagi. Kusanagi is like most of her team in that they are highly modified humans, or highly humanized machines, depending on your view. They are shells, biomechanical miracles, in which a human brain and spinal column have been places. However, unless you see one of them being made, or notice their cable contact points, they seem utterly human. The team investigates possible cases of government wrongdoing. Their paths often bring them into contact with the less reputable side of human and cyborg traffic. This is where you find that Shirow really shines; by using these contacts, robots in revolution, berserk cyborgs, and illegal memory copying to gradually shift the story from hard science fiction to a semi-metaphysical deep dive into the significance of the information net and alternate life form possibilities.

The question, of course, is not just 'what is human?' but 'what is intelligent life?' Where exactly is the boundary between the shell, whether it be bioengineered or flesh. In a world, where the definition of humanity is already stretched beyond anything previously believed perceivable, Masamune Shirow spins a tale that puts this graphic novel in a league of its own. Rarely is this medium used to ask questions of such probing depth and scientific curiosity. The novel Ghost in the shell does this with a brilliant cast of unlikely covert law enforcement personnel. Shirow does all this, and more, with a hilarious and refreshing touch of humor and prank. The artwork is some of the best in the industry. Mr. Shirow, which is not his actual name, uses his unique skills as a painter to convey his dark, questioning tale. Acrylics, watercolors and various copied textures are used in the renderings. Techniques from inking to scratching, to create effects with paint, are employed with tremendous skill and outstanding precision. For a man that claims that he was never a manga reader before his debut in the market, he does an outstanding job! The man can draw one hell of a woman, what else can I say?

This edition has a forward by the President of Dark Horse Mike Richardson thanking Shirow and Kodansha for allowing them to share with the world this wonderful story. There is also a nice postscript by Shirow himself that tells the story of how this book was made. I have Ghost in the Shell the anime to thank for popularizing the anime genre. If not for that movie or/and Ninja Scroll I would still be paying 30 dollars a pop for two episodes of a series. This book also put manga on the map here in the states and without it no collection is complete. You figure a guy like me would bring the grade down because of the missing lesbian threesome scene, but the story is really that damn good! A+

MW
Story & Art: Osamu Tezuka
Translation: Camellia Nieh
Publisher: Vertical

For years I have heard about this particular manga. Being a huge fan of Tezuka and having read tons of his work, I have to say that this particular book was completely different than the other manga I have read. MW is the name of a deadly gas created by the United States that was stashed on a small Japanese island. This gas leaks out and kills all of the inhabitants of the island except for two: Iwao Garai and Michio Yuki. We learn this through a series of flashbacks 15 years later where Father Garai is haunted by his memory of the dead, and Yuki is simply a madman: he inhaled some of the gas, which gives him occasional attacks of bad health, but worse, it warped his brain, robbing his sanity. Now he takes great joy in using, kidnapping, torturing, and killing people. We find out his reason is just as insane as the acts themselves. Yuki always confesses his crimes to Father Garai, who has a vow to keep the confessions to himself. Towards the end of the book, humanity is hanging on the balance, but will Garai just stand by and watch? The story gets a bit complicated as the killings progress and more characters enter the picture. Basically, Yuki is smart and insane, which is a deadly combination. He has no conscience and does whatever it takes to meet his end which is getting more MW! Garai is somewhat powerless to stop him, since he’s a priest and can’t tell anything to the police. But he also happens to be Yuki’s homosexual lover as well. Originally Garai came on to Yuki, so there’s a weird dynamic between who’s really in charge of this relationship. I have to say for a manga released in the late 70s Tezuka was ahead of his time by introducing the two leading characters as homosexual lovers. The manga is flipped so that you can read it from left to right. If Tezuka set out to prove that he could write an adult oriented story that doesn’t rely on shock value to carry the story….well then mission accomplished. A-

XXXholic vol.14
The Official XXXholic Guide

Story & Art: CLAMP
Translation: William Flanagan
Lettering: North Market Street Graphics
Publisher: Del Rey

Just like with Tsubasa I have been completely out of the loop with the XXXholic series. After reading 10 volumes back to back I found it difficult to skip to volume 14, because it seems like I missed a full chunk of story. It’s good and bad, because they pack so much in one volume, but when you miss three it seems more like 9 volumes. This is really sounding repetitive, so this is why I decided to play catch up and also review the official guide to XXXholic in this review. While most of the first 10 volumes had the spotlight on Watanuki, this volume seems to focus more on Domeki. Domeki is requested by Kohane and we dive a little into Kimihiro’s past when his secrets are started to be revealed. By the end of the volume we understand why he’s put up with all the grief and heartache. It’s a very touching explanation particularly the scene between Domeki and Kohane. This particular volume crosses over with Tsubasa when Domeki sees two Syaorans with the eye he shares with Watanuki. Though the two series are interwoven, this one still stands on its own charm and characters. Along with the release of volume 14 there was also the release of the Official Guide. The guide includes a story digest, character introduction, spirit index, glossary, corrections to Tsubasa, a quiz, interviews, and connections to Tsubasa and other Clamp works. Those are just a few of the things included in this book. This is a perfect book for someone that wants to play catch up with XXXholic or new readers to the series. The book itself tends to be a bit confusing, but it still enjoyable. B+ . The guide itself is not a necessity but it is a nice addition with enough new material to warrant it. B

Zone-00 vols.1 & 2
Story & Art: Kiyo Qyo
Translation: Nan Rymer
Adaptation: Ysabet Reinhardt MacFarlane
Publisher: Tokyopop

From the artist of Trinity Blood comes Zone -00! I finally got around to reading Trinity Blood volumes 1 through 6. Having read Zone, I went back and picked up six volumes because I fell for Oyo’s artwork. The story is really straightforward. We have demons that coexist with humans, but a new drug is making demon’s go back to their old way. So a Saburo Kujo, who unleashes a demon from within and Ango Shima; an exorcist team up to go up against this conflict. In the meantime Renji is being recruited by Tsukihiko to join the other side, and we learn more about the 300 year old past of Majoko and Senryo and Tsukihiko, while Renji and Rouji are prevented from taking their sibling rivalry to the death - for now. While we have seen this plot over and over again, I have to say Qyo’s art is what really carries this story. The character designs are amazing. They look like they come from a Persona (Shin Megami Tensei) videogame or a fighting game. She really knows how to draw some drop-dead gorgeous women, which usually comes with pretty boys. And even though this book has its share of pretty boys, there are some manly men in here too; with rippling muscles too! I really didn’t think I would enjoy this book, but the art really made it an easy and fun read. B-

Manga Spotlight: xxxHolic

This Review was Submitted by Thomas Pfeiffer

Story & Art: CLAMP
Publisher: Del Rey

Watanuki’s a normal teenaged high school kid, well except for the fact that he’s suffering from the Ichigo epidemic of seeing ghosts and ghoulies, who accidentally stumbles into a mystic shop run by an arrogant, crazy lush named Yuko, the space-time witch. Yuko’s specialty just so happens to be in fixing people’s “problems” in exchange for something equally important. For Watanuki that happens to be his “ghost-seeing” problem in exchange for Watanuki becoming the indentured servant for the witch. Watanuki’s day to day adventures include cooking, cleaning, shopping, acquiring the latest alcoholic beverage Yuko has the taste for at the time, and catching glimpses of other patrons of the shop and their tragic downfalls. Of course this is an occult shop so it’s not as hum-drum as it sounds, ordinary chores can quickly brush elbows with the supernatural.

Going into this manga I had no idea what to expect. I knew that it crossed over into “Tsubasa Chronicles” another CLAMP work being published at the same time, so I was intrigued, I heard great things about Tsubasa and its “crossovers” and of course been a CLAMP fan ever since those three girls went off to magical RPG land and started killing off princesses. Mostly I was excited about possibly seeing some crossovers from CLAMP series in XXXholic, but alas none (unless of course you count Tsubasa, and there is a drunk black Mokona). The premise for the manga that you get from reading the first couple of volumes sounds great. Problematic people coming into a mystical shop for help with their problems or addictions and the space-time witch which tries to help them, often ending in a sorrowful, or horror-filled climax for the individuals when they won’t listen to Yuko’s advice. It seems that’s where the ol’ CLAMP gals got the title (“XXXholic” as in “(insert addiction here)-holic”) Brilliant premise! But soon the manga turns into random stories about Watanuki, his exorcist rival, and the girl next door he’s in love with and the shenanigans they get into with japanese folk tales and mythology. It sort of turns into a poor man’s Urusei Yatsura, random stories involving the supernatural, but unlike Urusei Yatsura, no zany, over-the-top humor. The stories seem to try too hard to include fables and mythology without actually having a reason to giving you that “what was the point?” feeling. It feels like the majority of the stories are “filler” stories in an anime series that you end up hoping the next chapter will actually continue on with the plot. Just so you know after Volume 3 they really don’t, at least not often enough. In fact the only reason I continued reading this manga was to find out if it would ever go back to that intriguing premise that it led you into thinking this manga was about.

Of course the artwork is phenomenal. I honestly have to say that this is my favorite CLAMP artwork, and I’m a huge CLAMP fan. It’s drastically different than any of their other stuff. It still keeps with CLAMP’s way of doing malnourished, anorexic men, bubbly cute females and detailed hair, jewelry, etc. but it seems to have a much more clean line feel with much more simplified character designs (most of the male characters wear a school suit which transfers into CLAMP’s artwork as a pitch black body suit with angles). It might appear to be a very lazy style but the lines are so precise and technical every page is a work of art. Also the lack of details in the characters makes the read much more enjoyable and easy for to see character movements and depth.

All in all XXXHolic is a manga having an identity crisis. Tons of different ideas and premises leaving the reader confused on what kind of story the manga’s actually attempting to be telling. Pick up the first three volumes, if you liked the stories of Watanuki & Co. and their zany adventures with the supernatural, keep reading, that’s the plot point that CLAMP for the majority of the time runs with. If not stop there and just think of this manga as a really good idea wasted. B-